MAY FUN FACT

The Civil War ended in 1865 and claimed more lives than any conflict in American history. Beginning in the late 1860's, Americans began paying tribute to fallen soldiers. Expressions of gratitude and remembrance are often in the forms of parades, memorials, family picnics, and visiting cemeteries.

Although observed for over 150 years, Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, didn't become an official Federal Holiday until what year?